Taiwan Strengthens Defenses Against Chinese Espionage and Infiltration

[AbdulQadir7]

Taiwan’s President, William Lai Ching-te, has said that China is stepping up its espionage and infiltration efforts against the island, leading his government to adopt stricter countermeasures. Lai, speaking after a security meeting on Thursday, said Beijing was widening its influence campaign by reaching out to different sectors of Taiwanese society, including organized crime groups, media figures, and law enforcement officials.

Efforts by China to Infiltrate China​

Lai also accused China of engaging in subversive actions to undermine Taiwan internally. “They’re conducting activities that involve division, destruction and subversion,” he said. The president noted that in the last year alone, 64 people were charged with Chinese espionage — triple as many as in 2021. Many of the people accused were active or former military officials.

Taiwanese authorities are increasingly alarmed that these influence campaigns could damage the island’s democracy, freedom and prosperity over the long term. Lai also warned that China’s operations went beyond traditional espionage and fell into a “grey area” of psychological warfare aimed at undermining Taiwan’s defenses without direct military confrontation.

Taiwan’s Defensive Capabilities​

In response to these threats, Lai announced 17 new legal and economic initiatives. These include:

• More stringent vetting of visa and residency applications from Chinese nationals.
• Efforts to revive military tribunals.
• Changes in the flow of money, people and technology between Taiwan and China.

While konkret aspects of these adjustments were not released by Lai, he urged the need for stricter regulations to prevent the influence of foreign nations.

Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) advocates upholding the island’s de facto independence, while China regards Taiwan as part of its territory. Since 2016, when the D.P.P. took power under President Tsai Ing-wen, Beijing has rejected nearly all official contact with the party. The two sides have been politically divided since the end of China’s civil war in 1949.

Incidents in Recent Days Heightened Tensions​

Recent high-profile incidents have fueled tensions between Taiwan and China. In one case, a Chinese wife married to a Taiwanese citizen was expelled after she posted videos praising China’s leadership and stating that Beijing could seize Taiwan in 30 minutes. Laws of Taiwan bar support for an enemy, and the woman, who had held official Chinese advisory positions, has been banned for five years from reapplying for residency.

Taiwanese artists and social media influencers in China have also been reposting Chinese state media content claiming sovereignty over Taiwan. Taipei views this as a ploy to pressure celebrities into promoting China’s assertions. In response, the government of Lai said it would issue a reminder to Taiwanese entertainers of their statements and actions while in China.

Retired Taiwanese military personnel have also been accused of leaking sensitive information about Taiwan’s weapons systems to Chinese agents and seeking to recruit active-duty soldiers for espionage. These cases have added to fears over China’s increasing intelligence activity inside Taiwan.

Military and Psychological Pressure on China​

In addition to espionage, China routinely sends military aircraft and naval vessels near Taiwan’s airspace and waters. These operations are aimed at intimidating Taiwan’s population of 23 million and grinding down the island’s armed forces. The near-daily sight of Chinese military assets around Taiwan is one part of Beijing’s overall plan to assert its territorial claims and pressure Taiwan’s defense system.

Taiwan, in turn, has stepped up its civil defense efforts. To check Chinese threats, the government has ramped up military exercises, bolstered intelligence operations and fortified cyberdefense capabilities.

Taiwan’s Commitment to Defending Its Sovereignty​

With China stepping up its pressure campaign, President Lai has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to protect Taiwan’s sovereignty and democratic values. “Our only option is to take more active actions,” he added, highlighting the need for vigilance in protecting the island’s security.

Taiwan’s new legal frameworks are meant to raise barriers against espionage and lower vulnerabilities China can capitalize on. Taiwan is determined to defend its independence against Beijing's influence operations, even amid growing external interference.